The Torlonia are an Italian noble family from Rome, who acquired a huge fortune in the 18th and 19th centuries through administering the finances of the Vatican.
The first influential member of the Torlonia family was Marino Torlonia (Tourlonias; 1725 – March 21, 1785), who rose from humble origins in the Auvergne region of France to become a very rich businessman and banker in Rome.
Marino was born with the French name of Marin Torlonias, the son of Antoine Torlonias, a merchant and laborer. Marin's great-uncle was the parish priest of Augerolles, who procured for him a position as aide to an influential abbot. Marin eventually settled in Rome, where he became a cloth merchant and money lender near the Piazza Trinità dei Monti. This became the foundation of the family bank established by his son, Giovanni Torlonia.
Giovanni, in return for his able administration of the Vatican finances, was created duke of Bracciano and count of Pisciarelli by Pope Pius VI in 1794. In 1803, Pius VII made him marquess of Romavecchia e Turrita and the first prince of Civitella Cesi. He was made, among other titles, a Roman Patrician in 1809, with confirmation from the Pope on January 19, 1813, and the duke of Poli e Guadagnolo in 1820. He was the builder of the Villa Torlonia in Rome, among other Palazzo Torlonia villas. He married Anna Maria Chiaveri née Schulteiss, a widow who came from a family of southern German merchants from the city of Donaueschingen.
Well if you never let
Them tight pants
Have a chance
To hug your hips
Manhattan bluebird
Girl ... you never flown
And if you never read
Your name
Carved in leather
With your fingertips
Manhattan bluebird
Girl ... you done yourself wrong
And if you never let
That honky tonk
Juke box
Sing for you
Manhattan bluebird
Girl ... you missed your song